LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The City of Lima once again getting funding from the U.S. Conference of Mayors to create a new initiative for residents. This time the money is going to help the youth of Lima.
Mayor Sharetta Smith says the money will help children become more active with a healthier lifestyle.
The city was the 2nd place winner of the 2025 Childhood Obesity Prevention Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards. It will provide $50,000 that will go to creating the "Ride to Thrive Lima Youth Bike Program." Mayor Sharetta Smith says the money will help children become more active with a healthier lifestyle.
"The program will take place with our afterschool program at North Middle School. We will be teaching children about bike safety, bike repairs, as well as students participating will receive a bike as well as an activity tracker. We know not just in the city but in Allen County, childhood obesity is an issue, and so we're going to do our part to help with that," stated Mayor Sharetta Smith, City of Lima.
The award was announced Saturday morning at the conference in Washington D.C., where the mayor was in attendance.
Lima Awarded Funding for Youth Bike Program
January 18, 2025, Press Release from the City of Lima: Lima, Ohio - On Saturday, January 18th, 2025, the City of Lima will be announced as the 2nd Place, Small City winner for the 2025 Childhood Obesity Prevention/Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards. This award, offered through the United States Conference of Mayors in partnership with the American Beverage Foundation for A Healthy America, will be presented at the US Conference of Mayors’ 93rd Winter Meeting in Washington DC. The award includes $50,000 in grant funding that the City will use to launch the Ride to Thrive: Lima Youth Bike Program.
Lima faces significant challenges with youth health with nearly 17% of children living in poverty and a county-wide (Allen) childhood obesity rate of 48%. The focus of the Lima Youth Bike Program is to reduce childhood obesity and encourage lifelong fitness through bicycling.
Participating students will be provided with a bicycle, helmets, locks, and activity trackers. Students will engage in safety workshops, learn basic maintenance and repair skills, and participate in group bicycle rides. Rides will take students through community parks, trails, and destinations around Lima, reinforcing their navigation and safety skills while building their confidence in cycling within the community.
“We are grateful for the support of the US Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for A Healthy America as we look to create more opportunities for Lima’s youth to lead healthier lifestyles. With this program, our young people will have the opportunity to engage in fitness while also exploring our community. Together, we are building a healthier future for our children,” states Mayor Sharetta Smith.
The Lima Youth Bike Program will be incorporated into the existing ECCO (Enriching Our Community and Children through Opportunities) afterschool program at North Middle School. The ECCO afterschool program was established in 2018 by the Youth Commission - a partnership between the City of Lima; Mental Health Recovery Services Board of Allen, www.cityhall.lima.oh.us Auglaize, and Hardin Counties; Juvenile Court; Lima City School District, and several other community organizations. ECCO offers a structured, stimulating environment where students can enhance academic performance, engage in physical activities, build pro-social skills, and foster partnerships with families and the community. The Lima Youth Bike Program will enhance the outcomes of this existing program.
